The health select committee last year examined and supported the Smoke free Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill but the Government has delayed bringing it back to the House as it awaits the outcome of challenges to the World Trade Organisation brought against the Australian law by the tobacco industry.
But National supporter the Maori Party and Action on Smoking on Health now say the decline in smoking seen in Australia since its ''standardised'' packaging law came into force in 2013 means New Zealand can dally no longer.
''Standardised packaging in New Zealand must be passed with urgency,'' public health expert Emeritus Prof Robert Beaglehole, speaking to anti smoking group Ash, said.
''The Australian evidence shows standardised packaging of cigarettes has had an immense impact on smoking and has worked almost like a vaccine against tobacco use in children and young people.''
Standardised packaging involves removing all brand imagery and colours. Australian survey data shows the prevalence of daily smoking in those aged 14 or older declined from 15.1% in 2010 before the new law came into effect, to 12.8% in 2013.
A study of trends before and after the 2012 law change found people's display of cigarette packs outdoors at cafes, restaurants and bars dropped by 15% and there was a 23% reduction in the amount of smoking observed.
The proportion of people covering packets with awallet or phone increased sharply - although the actual numbers were small - which the researchers took toindicate ''some discomfort about their smoking behaviour or the sight of the cigarette packs''.
Maori Party co leader Te Ururoa Flavell deplored the Government's waiting on the legal challenges.
''Waiting for the World Trade Organisation decision means more people die or are sick from smoking related illnesses.''
Following Australia, Ireland last week became the second country to pass a plain packaging law. British MPs are expected to vote within weeks on introducing the policy to England.
In New Zealand, a UMR survey for Ash last year found 75% support for plain packaging, including 55% among smokers, if there was evidence they were less attractive than branded packaging to young people.
Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga said he was determined the plain packets Bill would become law.
''Our stance remains the same: that it is prudent to await the World Trade Organisation decision, but as minister I am always looking for ways to bring down the incidence of smoking.''
Tobacco companies oppose the plain packaging Bill.
''Plain packaging is failing in Australia,'' British American Tobacco's Australian spokesman Scott McIntyre said in response to inquiries made of the company's New Zealand branch.
The company claimed plain packaging had ''seen a 32% jump'' in Australian teen smoking prevalence, from 3.8% in 2010 to 5% in 2013, but The Age reported a government statistician saying it was not possible to say there had been an increase, as the sample size was too small and the change was not statistically significant.
- The New Zealand Herald
